- Everything you need to know for a day out at Taronga Zoo, navigating over 4000 animals.
- Your guide to the best animal exhibits and behind the scenes access.
- All the best tips for a fun and cost-effective trip to Australia’s number one zoo.
Feeling the call of the wild amid the concrete jungle of Sydney? There is much to navigate on your safari tour of Australia’s number one zoo, from the best way to get there, how to feed your own zoo of animal-children without breaking the bank, which shows are the must-see’s, can you cuddle a koala without being arrested, how to skip the amazon-sized queue of other tourists, and more. Fear not, the Sydney Travel Guide is strapping on a pith helmet and grabbing the proverbial binoculars, ready to guide you through all the do’s and don’ts for a fantastic day exploring this globally recognised animal sanctuary. Let the safari begin!
The Animals
Taronga cares for over 5,000 animals from over 350 species, many of which are threatened. They animal exhibits can be broken down into the following areas:
Australian animals
In this area you can expect to see the Dingo, Koala and Red Kangaroo, Wallaby, Emu and Greater Bilby, Cassowary, Platypus and Honeyeater.
Marine animals
Be ready to meet the Fiordland Penguin, Australian Sea Lion and Little Penguin.
African animals
The African Lion, Giraffe and Plains Zebra, Meerkat, Western low-land Gorilla, Ring-Tailed Lemur, Eastern Bongo, Chimpanzee, Pygmy Hippopotamus can all be found in the African animal enclosure.
Asian animals
Sumatran Tiger, Sun Bear, Red Panda
Reptile & Amphibians and more
Alligator Snapping Turtle, Bellinger River Turtle, Inland Taipan, Central American Eyelash Viper, Pygmy Python and more
And this is why you need to allow for at least three hours to tour the zoo!
Food & Drink
There are a small handful of food and drink options within the zoo grounds, although you are welcome to bring your own packed lunch if you prefer.
Forage and Graze
At Forage and Graze you can grab a frothy flat white and sit amongst the wildlife. Or, collect a light meal at this quick stop food outlet located near the Zoo’s main entrance before you head in. If you prefer to stop here for a light lunch you can sit under the courtyard’s gumtree, with a view of the Tree Kangaroos. Open from 9am to 5pm and there’s no zoo admission ticket required for entry. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. It’s also a great spot to enjoy an energy boosting icecream at the end of the day before you head back into the “real wild” of Sydney.
View the menu here for Forage and Graze.
Taronga Food Market and Cafe
This is the main food hall of the zoo and you may find youyrself witnessing something of a human watering hole when you visit. With something for everyone, this is located in the middle of the zoo, also making it a convenient resting stop for those seeking a toilet stop, a rest for tired feet and an energy re-boost for the little ones. There’s indoor and outdoor seating and offers all the basic items like sandwiches, hot chips, pastries, pies, soft drinks and ice creams. Open from 10am to 4pm. View the menu here.
Saltwater Bistro
Saltwater Bistro is the place to go if you’re after a more refined glass of wine, a delicious meal at a relaxed place, overlooking the Sydney harbour. The recently upgraded menu features crowd favourites like crispy fish & chips, gourmet burgers, and freshly made pasta.
Picnic areas
If you have brought your own picnic lunch, or snapped up something from the cafe and prefer to sit amongst the wildlife, then you won’t have to look far for a friendly spot under the sun or in the shade to perch on the grass and take in the city skyline. Picnic lunches are strongly encouraged on your day out at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo.
Taronga Wildlife Express
Take a 10-15-minute adventure through the heart of Taronga Zoo with the Taronga Wildlife Express. This magical train ride offers a unique perspective of the Zoo’s incredible wildlife and lush landscapes… and a brilliant opportunity to rest your tired feet when the walking becomes too much. You can board the train near the Zoo entrance and Near the Amphibian and Reptile Experience.
Tickets are just $5 per person, and you can purchase your tickets at either boarding station. Hop on at either station for your one-way journey and let the adventure begin.
Shopping
It wopuldn’t be a true day out if you don’t have the souvenirs to show for it! And what more iconic souvenirs than the fluffy koala or the rubber snake to scare your siblings later!
The Top Shop
The Top Shop is the perfect gift shop located right near the entrance entrance and exit, meaning you can’t miss it. It has a huge range of products, perfect as gifts or your own personal mementos. Cuddly soft toys, stylish Taronga merch and eco-friendly homewares sit alongside glassware and ceramics and puzzles and games galore. Let out the inner beast and go wild with gifts.
The Book Nook
There’s a brand new Book Nook at the zoo. It’s a family friendly reading haven filled with inspiring books in every form. From kid’s picture books to beautifully illustrated animal books and a local junior fiction series, ‘Taronga Presents’. You can also find puzzles and stationary for some great gift ideas. You might even see the Elephants poking their head over the fence to take a look!
The Middle Gift Shop
The Middle Gift Shop is perfect ff you need a break during your day. You can peruse through the Middle Shop, found right near the Seal Theatre and the escalators. Stop by for a much needed sun hat, some more fluffy toys (no such thing as too much plush we always say!) or just come on in for the lovely air conditioned environment on a hot Sydney day.
The Lower Gift Shop
The Lower Gift Shop is your last opportunity to snap up a bargain before you board the ferry home. So if you were thinking about buying some homewares, socks or last minute memorabilia of Taronga – here is your chance! Plus, you might even see a Seal swim past the pool window.
Wild Ropes
Still got energy to burn? Or perhaps the kids have had a sugar rush and are literally climbing the walls? Well then the Wild Ropes Treetop adventure course is exactly where you need to go.
See Sydney from new heights on Taronga Zoo Sydney’s exhilarating high ropes courses at Wild Ropes Treetops Adventure.
Bookings can be made online or via the Tree Tops Wild Ropes admissions desk when you enter the Zoo. Open from 10am to 3pm.
Expert instructors can guide your little kids through the trees if they’re between 8-12 years. It’s $64 per child and the course takes roughly 2.5 hours for the four ropes courses.
For parents who are keen to climb with their kids then there’s plenty of options for different ageas and prices to match. High ropes can be booked for climbers from 3 years and up. Choose the age group, amount of courses and get ready to climb.
- 3-7 years – $27 (1hr)
(Adult supervision required at no additional cost)
- 16+ – From $48 (1-2hr)
- 11-15 years – From $36 (1-2hr)
- 8-10 years – From $36 (1-2hr)
(Adult must accompany child on the climb and purchase their own ticket, unless you book Kids Club)
Animal Experiences
Remember the days when the only show available was the seal eating a fish at the pool? Today’s Taronga experiences have come a long way and are an extraordinary opportunity for you to get up close and personal with the most scaly, special, iconic creatures and for you to learn all about them in the process.
Choose from a range of fun animal encounters and unforgettable, hands on Keeper-for-a-Day programs for adults and kids to get the most out of your Taronga adventure. Our top tip…these experiences also make for a once in a lifetime experience as a gift for someone special.
Junior Keepers get a behind-the-scenes Zoo Keeper experience for children aged 8 – 11 years old. Cadet Keepers is for young adults 12 – 17 years old. And Keeper for a Day is the behind-the-scenes Zoo Keeper experience for adults 18 years and older.
Apart from the Keeper experiences, you can book an Animal Encounter for a thrilling experience on your next visit.
As demand is high and availability is subject to the welfare of the animal on the day, encounters are sold on a ‘first in basis’ from the Retail Shop at Top Plaza, once the gates to the Top Plaza open at 9.00am. For early arrivals waiting outside the Zoo Entrance, a Retail Shop Assistant will determine the ‘priority’ for Animal Encounter bookings from 8.45am.
Encounters currently available include Reptile and Amphibians, Koalas, Capybara, Giraffe, Meerkat, Dingo, and the new Penguin encounters.
Special Events at Taronga Zoo
Because of Taronga’s enviable location, it lends itself to some really exclusive annual events, ranging from Christmas Concerts to New Year’s Eve celebrations and various fundraising evenings throughout the year.
Christmas Concert
The Christmas Concert is set in the idyllic grounds of Taronga Zoo with magical views across Sydney Harbour, this family friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas and enjoy a spectacular summer night of entertainment featuring a special guest all the way from the North Pole!
Prices for kids are from $36.00 | Adults from $43.30 | Concession from $38.97 | Children under 3 years are free. Tickets are on sale here.
New Year’s Eve
Welcome in the new year at the most unique harbour location. Bid farewell to 2025 and celebrate the arrival of 2026 with family and friends overlooking the majestic Sydney Harbour. This is a paid vantage point event and tickets range from $120 to $800.
Gates open from 6pm and stay open until 12:30am. The location hosts up to 2,860 people. You can buy food and alcohol and byo food is allowed. Tickets are available here and through Ticketek.
Twighlight at Taronga
Running across five back-to-back weekends from Friday February 6, 2026, cyou can sit under the stars surrounded by the sounds of the animals, while enjoying world-class live music and breathtaking Harbour views on the concert lawns at Taronga Zoo Sydney — all with the power to protect Australia’s iconic native wildlife.
Tickets are available here and through Ticketek.
You can also register your interest online for information as it becomes available for more events at Taronga Zoo such as the Harbour View Cinema and Taronga After Dark. Register here.
Staying Overnight
Ever dreamt of sleeping next to a lion’s roar? Or waking up to the sounds of giraffe’s munching and gorillas at play? You can enjoy an overnight stay at Taronga Zoo Sydney for a truly unique experience. There are two distinctly different types of accommodation on offer, depending on your desire to be in and amongst the action and budget. Plan and book a rare holiday that will suit your needs for a relaxing and immersive experience amongst the wild.
Wildlife Retreat
Taronga Zoo Sydney’s newest accommodation offering is the Wildlife Retreat. It’s a safari-inspired boutique accommodation in an elegant Australian eco-retreat. Guests can revel in the natural beauty of the bushland, and step into a lush sanctuary where koalas and echidnas roam, and platypus swim.
In addition to the immersive native animal experiences, guests will enjoy modern Australian dining, all overlooking iconic Sydney Harbour. Your stay includes:
- Complimentary parking
- Luxury hotel accommodation
- 2-day complimentary Taronga Zoo access
- Exclusive Wildlife Sanctuary Guided Tour
- Complimentary breakfast at Me-Gal Restaurant
- N’Gurra Lounge access with spectacular Sydney views
The accommodation options vary with different views available, as well as the up-graded suite options. Prices range from $549 up to $4479 throughout the year depending on season. Bookings are available here.
Roar and Snore
This is an unforgettable safari-style overnight experience featuring intimate animal encounters and fascinating keeper talks. Guests can hear the untold stories of the Zoo while enjoying the glistening sunset and sunrise over spectacular views of Sydney Harbour.
What’s included in your stay
- One day zoo Admission
- One nights accommodation in a Roar and Snore Safari-style tent
- Exclusive guided tours and animal encounters
- Buffet Dinner & Breakfast
- Complimentary parking
Secretly nestled in the grounds of Taronga Zoo, safari-style tents are spread out in a nature-filled campsite with views of the harbour and Sydney’s city scape. Settle into your cosy tent overlooking the city lights and drift away to the soothing sounds of nature. Each tent offers comfy bedding, electricity and can sleep up to four people. Bathroom facilities are available on site also.
Accommodation ranges from $799 to $1099 per night depending on the season. You can book your accommodation here.
How to get there
Taronga Zoo is in the heart of Sydney, on the Harbour and on the north side of Sydney Harbour Bridge, in Mosman. This means the access options are many. One of the most popular options for visitors to Taronga Zoo is to catch the ferry from Circular Quay straight to Taronga, taking in the best of Sydney Harbour in the process. When planning your trip to the zoo, allow yourself roughly three hours in total to explore the zoo itself.
Ferry
The Ferry departs Circular Quay every 30 minutes and takes roughly 12 minutes to arrive at the base of the zoo ferry wharf. From there, free bus transport will take you directly to the zoo entrance. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, it is roughly three minutes to walk from wharf to entrance, depending on fitness level. For the latest ferry times and ticket info, click here.
Sadly, the funicular ride (cable car) from the wharf to the top entrance is currently unavailable, with plans to upgrade the system in 2025/2026. Stay tuned for updates on this popular Sky Safari ride.
Captain Cook Cruises operate a daily Zoo Express and all-day hop-on hop-off Harbour Explorer service departing daily from Circular Quay (Wharf 6), Darling Harbour (King St Wharf 1), Manly (Wharf 3) and Watsons Bay.
Fantasea Cruising operate a Zoo Direct and all-day hop-on hop-off Harbour Hopper from Darling Harbour (Aquarium Wharf) and Circular Quay Wharf 6. They also offer a package deal of return ferry ride plus zoo entrance fee of $79.
Bus
The 100 bus operates between Mosman (Taronga Zoo Sydney) and the Queen Victoria Building in the city from early morning until around midnight, seven days a week. Buses run every 10 minutes across the day and at least every 20 minutes in the early morning and late at night. For all bus information and timetables, click here.
The 238 bus route travels between Balmoral Beach, the Taronga Zoo Sydney main entrance and the Taronga ferry wharf on the water’s edge for passengers arriving or leaving by ferry.
Depending on your embarkation location (Wynyard, Sydney Town Hall etc) bus tickets cost between $1 – $4 for a one way ticket. The bus journey typically takes around 25–30 minutes from the city to the zoo.
A free Taronga Shuttle operates during school holidays between the Taronga Ferry Wharf and the Main Top Zoo Entrance, along Bradleys Head Road. This bus trip is free with a zoo ticket. For more information, click here.
Driving
Parking is available at Taronga Zoo Sydney, with entry from Bradleys Head Road.
The all-day parking rate is $24, or $12 for Zoo Friends.
For guests entering prior to 4.00pm, the parking is a flat rate of $24 for the whole day, or free if entering and exiting within 90 minutes (there is no 90-minute grace period after 4.00pm).
Opening hours
Taronga Zoo is open every day of the year from 9:30am. In Winter, (May to August) thre zoo closes at 4:30pm and in Summer (September to April) the zoo closes at 5pm.
Buying Tickets
There are different entrance rates for individual, group and concession tickets plus gift voucher purchases for visits to Taronga Zoo. To purchase your online tickets, click here. You can save up to 20% if you buy your tickets online.
One day entry – Individual Tickets
| Ticket type | Gate price* | Online price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $55.00 | $49.50 |
| Concession | $43.00 | $38.70 |
| Child (4-15 years) | $33.00 | $29.70 |
| Infant (under 4 years) | FREE | FREE |
One day entry – Family Tickets
| Ticket type | Gate price* | Online price |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Adults and 2 Children | $158.40 | $140.80 |
| 2 Adults and 1 Child | $128.70 | $114.40 |
| 1 Adult and 2 Children | $108.90 | $96.80 |
Membership
Zoo Friends get so much more than unlimited access to Taronga’s Zoos in Sydney and Dubbo. There are a range of membership options to choose from. The Family Flex rate is $130 per adult + $20 joining fee and kids under 16 from the same household are free. Individual membership rates start from $119 per adult + $20 joining fee. The same fee applies for the Grandparent membership rate.
Membership Benefits include free Wildlife Express Train rides, member only events and experiences, half price parking,
- 15% discount in the Zoo Shops
- 10% discount on food and beverages
- Presale PLUS 10% off discounts to our special events including New Years Eve and Twilight at Taronga
- FREE annual Zoo Friends Calendar
- 10% off our award-winning accommodation
- Reciprocal entry to Zoos Victoria, Zoos SA and Perth Zoo locations
$1 Birthday Bonus
Here’s our favourite Sydney Travel Guide insider tip for you! Celebrate your next birthday with a day at the zoo for only $1. And your guests receive a 10% discount on their tickets when they celebrate with you. Book online and turn up on your actual birthday to experience a birthday with a real difference.
Packed with paw-some experiences, including animal presentations, keeper talks and special animal encounters, this will be a birthday to remember.
Book your birthday tickets here.
Taronga is a Cashless Zoo
Taronga Zoo is now cashless, with contactless payments accepted when purchasing General Admission Zoo tickets and across all retail, food and beverage outlets.
Download the app
Our top tip for the day is to download the Taronga Zoo Sydney app to plan your day before you visit, find your way around, learn about the animals and join the Wild Squad missions.
With over 4000 animals to see and 20 daily Keeper talks and shows, this app can help you plan your day.
Plus, discover what’s new at the Zoo, our exciting animal encounters, food and drink, kids activities, and more with the GPS-enabled map. Browse the interactive map for easy navigation and directions around the Zoo.
- Discover what’s on today at the Zoo, including presentations and animal talks and animal encounters.
- Plan your day at the Zoo with pop-up reminders for animal talks and shows.
- Discover Wild Squad Missions for kids through a series of fun, quick and interactive missions that will help kids learn more about conservation and the animals they are seeing at the Zoo.
- A Mandarin language option is now available.
The Map
In addition to being home to all the animals, Taronga Zoo Sydney offers a range of facilities to visitors including cafes and eateries, picnic areas, free WiFi, ATMs, a parents room, public bathrooms and first aid throughout the Zoo. It’s a good idea to download the map to help you navigate your way throughout the zoo.
You can find each of the facilities on the Zoo map, along with the location of all of your favourite animals.
